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HomeWhich One?GrammarRise vs Raise
ESEN
Which one to use?Intermediateverbverb

RisevsRaise

One rises by itself, the other you raise with your own effort.

Side-by-side comparison

Rise
verb

"Rise" is intransitive: something goes up on its own, without anyone moving it. "The sun rises" = the sun comes up. "Prices are rising" = prices are going up on their own. Past tense: "rose".

  • The sun rises at 6 a.m. in summer.

  • Prices have risen sharply this year.

  • The balloon rose slowly into the sky.

Raise
verb

"Raise" is transitive: you lift or increase something. Always requires a direct object. "Raise your hand" = lift your hand. "Raise children" = bring up children. Past tense: "raised".

  • The company raised its prices last month.

  • Please raise your hand if you have a question.

  • They raised three children on their own.

Common mistake

  • •"The government rises the prices" is wrong: "rise" is intransitive (the subject goes up on its own).
  • •To lift something, use the transitive "raise": "The government RAISES prices." "Rise" = move upward with no direct object.
  • •"Raise" = lift something with a direct object.

Trick to remember it

  • •"Rise" = the subject acts on its own (sun, prices, water).
  • •"Raise" = someone lifts something (raises a hand, prices, children).
  • •Does something move another? Use "raise." Does it move itself? Use "rise."

Quick rule

  • •Does the subject go up on its own? "Rise".
  • •Does someone lift something (direct object present)? "Raise".

Did you know?

In American English, "raise a child" is the standard expression. In British English, "bring up a child" is preferred. This difference is interesting because it reflects two distinct metaphors: in American English, raising a child is "elevating" them (raise = to lift); in British English, it is "carrying them upward" (bring up = to take upward). Both metaphors are vertical but with different verbs. And in American English RAISE also applies to farm animals: "raise cattle," "raise chickens." The noun also differs: in American English, a RAISE is a salary increase (in British English: a PAY RISE).

Practise what you learned

Exercise 1 · Pick the right one

She _____ her hand to ask a question in class.

Exercise 2 · Pick the right one

The bread dough _____ slowly in the warm kitchen.

Exercise 3 · Form the word

Complete: "The government plans to _____ the minimum wage next year." (rise / raise)

Related word pairs

LayvsLie

'Lay' is transitive (to place something); 'lie' is intransitive (to recline, no direct object needed).

AvsAn

'A' is used before consonant sounds; 'an' is used before vowel sounds.

A lot ofvsMany

'A lot of' works for countable and uncountable; 'many' only for countable; 'much' only for uncountable.

According tovsBased on

'According to' cites an external source; 'based on' indicates the evidence behind a claim.

BL

Bryan López

Founder of SpeakUP Academy

July 22, 2026

See all Grammar pairsExplore English suffixes
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